The involvement of pharmacists in cardiac rehabilitation: a review of the literature

Abstract

ObjectiveTo identify, review and evaluate the literature regarding the role of the pharmacist in cardiac rehabilitation (CR). MethodElectronic databases searched up to October 2004 were Medline, Pharmline, Iowa Drug Information service, International Pharmacy Abstracts, Embase, Scanners and Web of Science. Reference lists of identified papers were searched and a Zetoc email alert was created to identify additional papers. Papers were included only if they referred specifically to a CR programme or CR patients, and also referred to the involvement of pharmacists or concerned pharmacy practice research. Reports were not excluded on the basis of quality, however reports that met the criteria for inclusion were allocated an evidence grade to indicate quality. Key findingsThirteen reports were identified, of which six reports were purely descriptive accounts of pharmacists' involvement in CR (all were from the US) and seven were evaluative reports (four from the US, two from the UK and one from Canada). Descriptions of the involvement of pharmacists in CR included providing medicines information and education to patients, and optimising drug therapy. The lack of substantial research was notable among the evaluative reports. One study found quality of life and economic benefits as a result of the involvement of a pharmacist in CR, and another found that health professionals provide most of the medicines information and education required by CR patients. However these studies were weakened by a lack of meaningful outcome measures. ConclusionThere is insufficient evidence on which to base firm conclusions about the effectiveness of the involvement of pharmacists in CR. This has implications for pharmacy practitioners, researchers and policymakers in CR.

A systematic review investigating the role and impact of pharmacist interventions in cardiac rehabilitation

“…Despite the significant improvement in health outcomes of patients in various other diseases including heart failure through the provision of clinical pharmacist-led interventions, the evidence of pharmacists’ contributions in CR is still limited [ 12 ]. Although there has also been a literature review pertaining to pharmacist’s role in CR such as conducting medication reviews, educating patients, and optimising drug therapy, which was completed in 2005 [ 13 ], a systematic review specifically exploring the impact of pharmacist interventions in CR on patient outcomes is still needed.…”